Monday, August 1, 2011

Cinelli Laser

I purchased this bike in Milan, Italy in May of 1986 at the Cinelli factory showroom. Several measurements were taken, and options discussed thru an interpretor.

Purchase price was 4,000,000.00 Lira plus freight and VAT.

I had previously seen the Track version at the '84 Olympic games at the Velodrome in LA. and I knew I had to get one for myself.

In 1984, the UCI decreed that aerodynamic modifications were not allowed, ie wheel covers, etc., and that aero features must be an integral part of the bicycle design and function.

Cinelli was the first manufacturer to incorporate the "Aero" concept into a production bike and the result was the Laser. Cinelli utilized the sloping top tube, 26" front wheel, ovalized frame joints, bullhorn bars, carbon fiber wheels, and several other design elements to increase aerodynamic efficiency. These core design elements are still used by most of the top aero manufacturers, except that carbon fiber is now the material of choice for the frame and several key components that give dramatic gains in total weight vs. the steel version.

The Laser was the Formula One of bicycles in the mid-eighties and retains a "cool" factor that very few bikes will attain. Just Google the Laser for more history.

My Laser was raced in several State Championships as well as in the Senior Nationals. It was never wrecked or abused. It has been in air conditioned storage it's whole life.

SPECIFICATIONS

FRAME: THE FRAME IS IN MINT CONDITION, NO DENTS OR COROSION. THE PAINT IS ORIGINAL AND SOLID. SEVERAL YEARS AGO THE PAINT BEGAN TO "CRAZE" AND IS STARTING TO SHOW THE UNDERCOAT THRU THE TOP COAT. THIS IS EVIDENT ONLY UPON CLOSE INSPECTION AND TO THE CASUAL EYE THE FRAME STILL SHOWS THE ORIGINAL BEAUTIFUL CINELLI BLUE. THERE ARE A FEW NICKS AND SCRATCHES FROM TRAVEL AND HANDLING, BUT THE DECALS ARE PERFECT EXCEPT FOR THE COLUMBUS SLX DECAL. MEASUREMENTS FOLLOW.

THIS IS YOUR CHANCE TO OWN A PIECE OF HISTORY! ERIC HEIDEN'S 86 TOUR DE FRANCE LASER TT IS NOW IN THE BICYCLING HALL OF FAME AND THIS LASER IS A NEAR DUPLICATE OF HIS, EXCEPTING THAT THIS BIKE HAS THE FACTORY CINELLI DISC WHEELS.

MY LASER IS IN ORIGINAL MINT CONDITION. THE FACTORY INSTALLED COMPONENTS ARE ALL ORIGINAL AND IN PERFECT WORKING ORDER. NO MODIFICATIONS OF ANY KIND HAVE BEEN MADE, AND THE PAINT IS FACTORY ORIGINAL AND UNTOUCHED OR TOUCHED-UP. THE TIRES ARE FACTORY ORIGINAL AND STILL HOLD 6 BAR PREASURE.

THE LASER IS READY TO RACE, BUT IS TOO VALUABLE TO RISK. IT'S PRIME FUNCTION IS PROBABLY TO HANG ON SOMEBODY'S WALL AS AN INCREDIBLY COOL PIECE OF ITALIAN ART."

From Q&A: "As to the serial number, it is not visible. Refering again to the photo on my google search, ie. "Cinelli Only", the photo of the Laser being readied for re-paint shows the serial number that was buried under the thick undercoat. I won't grind the paint away just to get the number. But rest assured, it is there.

I invite you to contribute by sending in photographs of your Cinelli bike, illustrations, personal stories, and articles about Cinelli bikes and components.

6 comments:

"In 1984, the UCI decreed that aerodynamic modifications were not allowed, ie wheel covers, etc., and that aero features must be an integral part of the bicycle design and function."..It's true!!! Damn my Laser pursuit frame ('82-'83) has been amputated by the FCI (italian cycling federation)

Did anyone with a Cinelli Laser won something at the 1984 Olympics? The Italians were riding Rossin that year as far as i know...But with superawesome Altinger Pursuit Frame i own, the Germans got some goooold:)